When You're in Pain, an Hour Can Feel Like Eternity
My eyes fluttered open. It had been a long night in the intensive care unit after my heart surgery, but now the colour beyond the windows was the saturated blue of dawn. My eyes drifted towards the clock on the wall — 7am, it read.
“Oh my.” I thought. “How am I going to deal with the pain? It will get better with time, but how do I even get to 7pm?”
*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our Privacy Policy page for more information. Thank you!
Yet Another Day in the Life with Chronic Pain...
On a regular day with Lupus and Sjögren's disease, especially during periods of high disease activity, I often collapse in despair because I don’t know how I can possibly deal with one more day of pain.
What I have come to learn is that it is pointless to reason with yourself when you are crippled with pain. You have to simply get through it. You may not understand why or what for in such a moment, but you will when you get a good day. I have also come to realise that it is okay — okay to break down because you are exhausted, in pain, hopeless and feel pathetic.
Dealing with Pain with a Good Dollop of Self-Compassion
That good day might not be now, and it might not come for a while, but what you have to do is just to get through the day without over-analysing it, and to treat yourself with kindness. Give yourself a break — your body wasn’t what it was yesterday, and isn’t what it will be tomorrow.
What I have found useful, especially when the pain is so unbearable that even a day is too long, is to break it down further into seconds. That breaks the problem down into bite-sized, digestible pieces. I don’t have to fight for a ‘long period of time’; all I have to do is to choose to fight on in this very moment, this very second, now - and I know I can do that, and so can you.
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Morgan Shaw
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Sheryl Chan
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Anindya Rakshit
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Sheryl Chan
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Rachael Stray
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Sheryl Chan
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Amelia
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Sheryl Chan
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Ruth
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Sheryl Chan
Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!You are so brave going through heart surgery and it must of taken ages to recover from that you are so brave and keep me so positive about my own health issues x
Thank you Morgan for your kind words. We all do what we must, and you and me we need to stick together 😉 Sending love! x
Yes, it’s an issue that needs to be handled with positiveness and courage and determination, and good that you are doing so…….great to come across your blog..
Thanks Anindya!
Keep fighting. I’m sure your blog helps so many people dealing with chronic pain themselves.
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com
Hi Rachael, that is the hope! 😉 Thanks for reading! x
I can’t imagine. Your blog is so important shedding light on this issue and letting others know they are not alone. I also think it is a good reminder for all of us to be more present and mindful. Deal with what is in front of you. thank you.
Hi Amelia, I’m glad the mind works in such a way that we forget what that pain is like over time. Thanks for reading, and your comment! x
A lovely blog post. It was very touching. I’ve had heart surgery, and it’s not pleasant. You are right you get stronger each day by being to yourself. Keep fighting. Great post! ??xxx
Thank you, Ruth 🙂 Yea it’s really unpleasant, isn’t it! What type of heart surgery did you need to get?